Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1887-03-25
THE INTERSTATE CoMnIssIOx.
tFrom as orsgonian.

Fr0Bs tAs 0rsgoHiaH.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
is nov complete. Judge Cooley was for
years Chief Justice Of the Supreme
Court of Michigan. and is q very able
iarist. He has published number OF
articles discussing many Of the goes
lions be Gill be called apon to decide in
his new sphere Of duty. CoIsnel Aldaee
K. Walker was Lieutenant Colonel of
the Eleventh Vermont during the war,
has been IN active practice Of the law
for twenty years, was a member OF the
State Senate Of Vermont in 1882, and
has always been the anti railroad ring
lawyer in his State in opposition TO ex-
Governor Smith, CT the Central Yer
mont. He is the first LAWYER Of his
State and warm friend Of senator
Edmunds, to whose recommendation he
doubtless owes bis appointment. Ex.
Representative Morrison IL an honest
man, OF COURAGEOUS public convictions.
The other members Of the Commission
-BfaRg Of Alabama and SchOonmaker
OF New York-are men of legal educa-
ton and experience and Of Rood-fe
pute.
The Law goes into operation early in
chosen serve two, three, foaT. five and
SIX years respectively, from January l,
1881. the term Of each TO BE- designated
BY The President. Their sueoessors are
to be appointed for six years, unless the
appointment be to I'LL an uBexpired
term. The ANNUAL salary Ia $500. Any
Commissioner may be removed by the
President for "inetficiency, neglect OF
duty or malfeAsaDcs in tffise." Not
more than three Commissioners are
taken from the same political party.
mo person in the employ of or holding
any official relation to any common car
riet subject to the provisions Of this
act, or owning stock or bonds thereof,
or who IL In any way IecuniAri-
ly interested therein, shall enter
aeon the duties Of or held such
ofiise." Nor shall the Commissioners
engage 10 any other business, vocation
or employment. The Commission is
authorized to inquire into the manage
ment Of the business of all common
carriers subject 20 the provisions # the
act. IL - required ito keep itself To-
formed as to manner aud method in
which the same is conducted" and is
clothed With the right ito obtain from
seoh common carriers full and complete
information necessary TO enable the
Commission to perform the duties and
carry out tse objects for which it was
created" 1t is empowered to require
the attendance and testimony of wit
nessss and the production of "sll books,
papers, tariffs, contracts, agreements
and documents relating to the matter
under inv, stgation."
IheC0mmiss on "a requi ed to invesii-
gate complaints Of illegal railroad
abuses and g. make report of the facts.
IL IL fiRds tbat ang wrong of commits
sion or omission exists in violation OF
the law, u is required 90 send a copy of |
It's report TO the offending corporation,
: together with notics TO cease ana |
desist from such violation, or to m Ike |
rsparstion for the injury done" II the |
corporation refuses to heed this notice |
or deties the authority Of the Commits |
sion, then the Commission is to proceed |
against the corporation in the courts. |
Corporations are made liable ia dam |
ages for lniBries dOne, and officers are /
luhlec ed TO lines for Offices AQains. |
The act. The headquarters and general |
lessions Of the Com mission are 20 be 10 |
Special sessions NAV be /
held IN any part OF the country Rail
'Oad companies are required to make
snuaal reports Of their business tran
notions aud financial operations to the
)ommissioners. and the latter are re-
loired to make annual reports to the
secretary OF the Interior, by whom they
re to be Transmitted to Congress.